Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-04-29
The Hearts Own Sorrow.


speaking now, lis your happiness moth
ingp Must you drudge forever. when
you might be happy?'
Il must not think of my own happi-
ness first. John. My parents need me
i am their only support-and oh!
John. you would not. you could not,
ask me to leave them now, when they
are old and helplessr'
And | cannot stay. There Is no
chance for me here to support you and
them. My only hope is in going to Lon
don But it is hard to go alone. Kit
tie, you don't know how have planned
and waited for the time when you
would be mine"
Il know it is hard. but"-and here
the patient voice faltered-'' since the
death of my brother, father and mother
are dependent on me, and as they are
both i'll l cannot leave them. / can
support them by teaching, and my
duty is here. But oh! it is as hard for
me as for you, and believe me, shall
never forget you."
Forget me! Kittie. | shall come
back for you in few years.
And so they parted; Kittie Wilton
to take up her burden of life in the old
school. where, amid the hum of voices
and the weary routine of duty, the old
memories would rush back upon her
with overwhelming force. But she
never once faltered. Barvely she bore
her burden, and made her home COM
comfortable for those who were de-
pendent on her.
As for John Waters, he went to Lon
don and started in his profession, VIII CHI
was that of surgeon.
Many nights. wearied and discour-
aged, he sighed for the companionship
of the dear, brave little woman he had
left behind, while she struggling on
ward in the path of duty, loved him,
and in that love found her only hap
piness.
The years rolled slowly by. and
brought but few changes.
One pleasant summer afternoon, five
years after the parting OF John and Kit
tie. found the latter walking slowly
homeward, her duties for that day at
the school finished.
Time had dealtvery gently with Kittie
Wilton. The face was. if any thing,
more perfect in its quiet beauty, for
the years of hopeful trusting had lent
spiritual grace not to be seen in the
Kittie of five years ago.
The sun had just begun to decline be :
hind the hills in the distance, and KIT
tie, gazing listlessly at it, was thinking
of John. Her thoughts were nearly
always of him, and very pleasant
thoughts they were, too. In her hand
she had letter in the dear, familiar
handwriting, which she had just receiv-
ed at the postoilice. and which she was
waiting to read at home.
She was sure dear John would have
something pleasant to say. though Of
late his letters had been fewer and
shoter. So she walked on with quick
ened steps, until she reached her own
house.
First she ran to greet her dear, pale
faced, patient mother, who had been
an invalid for years. and her father,
who was growing weaker and could
not live long.
With smile and 4 pleasant word
for both, though her heart was very
heavy as she gazed on the pale, drawn
features of her father, she seated her
self beside them.
Have you been lonesome, motherPn
II always miss you. Kittie,' answer
cd Mrs. Wilton. But you have a
letter. Read it, and tell US the good
news.
So KittIe opened the letter with eager
fingers, and read it through with face
that slowly turned as white as the
paper on which the cruel words were
written.
DEAR Kittic: When you read this shall
be married-would dared to say dead You
may condemn me-you must desplse me-and
deserve your bitterest hatred.
But let me tell, in as few words as
possible, the whole miserable story. nv sue.
cess, as you know, was at Iirst poor. Then
became acquainted with Dr. Carlton, who
made me a partner with him. He had a
daughter whom | have always treated as
sister but whom did not dream Of marry
ing until a week ago. Doctor Carlton was
taken mortally i'll, and on his dea hbed asked
me to promise TO marry his daughter who was
as he says, in love with me. Ii was a great
temptation. All the benefit should get (for
Doctor Carlton promised TO leave me his whole
fortune, which is large by such course pre-
scented itself 10 my view, while a voice whis-
percd to me that you would never be mine.
And oh Kittie it did seem so. You and both
were welded to life of drudgery. But here
was an escape for me. You know, Kttie,
how love money 1t was my besettlng sin.
Well, Twas weak, aud he urged me so strongly,
and-I yielded
You will better off without me, Kittie, for
was not worthy Of you. Think Of me only as